My own hobby is birdwatching. I think it is a very cool hobby even though the image most people get when imagining birdwatchers is one of old, grey men peering through a telescope at a nondescript duck somewhere off in the distance.

However, I think birdwatching is the perfect hobby for someone who is young and likes to be outside.

First of all, it is a very versatile hobby. You can do it anywhere, anytime and during other activities. Waiting for the bus? Bored in your garden? Long car trip? Look at birds!

Secondly it is a good way to get off your ass and go outside once in a while rather than just sitting inside looking at your computer screen all day. You will feel a drive to go outside more often once you get into the hobby and when you're outside you get the movement you need.

Furthermore it is very easy to combine with other hobbies such as photography, hiking, traveling or camping.

Fourth, you get to go to places that most people won't go quickly, discovering beautiful pieces of nature that you would otherwise never have heard of.

Fifth, the competetive aspect is loads of fun. In a lot of countries there will be a rather active community of twitchers, people who compete with each other to get the longest list of birds seen.

Sixth, it's quite cheap to get into! To start you need nothing more than a book and a pair of binoculars.

Lastly birds are awesome. There are literally thousands of different species of birds in all shapes and forms and colours and with the weirdest plumages and behaviours. You will never grow bored of discovering a new type of bird that you had never heard of before and there are few things more exciting than getting good views of a beautiful new species of bird that you had never seen before.

So put on your shoes, grab your binoculars and get out there!